If you are leaving a job and not going to work for an employer who has health insurance, there is an option available to you. You could continue the group coverage for 18 months, however, you could be responsible for the entire premium, both the portion you paid as an employee and the employer contributions as well. There is a 2% surcharge for continuation coverage.

Self-funded arrangements mean you will not have an insurance company nor any of the protection state insurance law provides including guarantee fund protection. This is because federal law preempts state jurisdiction over self-insured plans through a law referred to as Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).